Symposium Mainstreaming Sector Policies into Integrated National Sustainable Development Planning: Enhancing Sustainable Tourism, Urbanization, Resource Efficiency, Biodiversity and Environmental Protection Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran 14-16 October 2014 Management of Tourism Development in Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites in Cambodia In Thoeun Deputy Director General Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia
Outline Managing Heritage and Tourism & Developing Policy Initiatives Community-based Tourism and Development Green Tourism in Cambodia 2
Cambodia Tourism Policy Culture and nature-based tourism Green Gold contributes to the development of Green Economy To be developed in sustainable and responsible manner Diversify destination, reduce poverty, improve livelihood people 3
Cambodia Tourism Map Siem Reap Eco-Tourism Area Costal Area Phnom Penh & Its Surroundings 4
Managing Heritage and Tourism Ensuring conservation to managing tourism 1992: Inscription on UNESCO World Heritage List 1993: Establishment of ICC Angkor, initial focus on safeguarding endangered monuments, while opening the site to tourists Tourism growth over the following 20 years in a context of stability and economic development (1993 was118,183 pax, in 2013: 4,210,165 visitors) 5
Managing Heritage and Tourism The necessity to manage tourism 2005: ICC-Angkor recommends the adoption of a general management plan, then Angkor tourism management plan (TMP) Objectives To address the risks and opportunities brought by increasing tourism To provide a practical tool and clear action plan 6
Managing Heritage and Tourism A participative approach Within Government, involve all public stakeholders With the private sector and the communities Contents of TMP Recalling the World Heritage Site outstanding values (Aesthetic: architecture, Historical: civilization and archaeology, Spiritual and intangible: local population beliefs and customs 7
Managing Heritage and Tourism Contents of TMP Identifying the issues generates by increasing tourism that put WHS values at risk: - Limited understanding of heritage values - Congestion, impact on the monuments, reduced visitors experience, behavior issues and safety - Need to improve infrastructure and transports, need for stronger partnership with the private sector, need to strengthened governance 8
Managing Heritage and Tourism Addressing major policy issues Positive visitor experience Reduced sites impacts Partnership with industry Governance, Benefits for local people, Stakeholder engagement Major Initiatives proposed by TMP Integrated management of temples: for specific temples whose daily operations affect overall site management 9
Developing Policy Initiatives Major Initiatives proposed by TMP Manage visitors flow to ensure carrying capacity Adapt transportation address vehicle and non vehicle route Promote visitors orientations and behavior communicate values to promote code of conduct (UNWTO: Tourism Bill and Rights and Tourist Code at 6 th GA, Sofia, 1985. Global Code of Ethics for Tourism at 13 th GA Santiago, 1999) Develop visitors services improve basic facilities 10
Developing Policy Initiatives Major Initiatives proposed by TMP Foster guides training strengthen existing efforts Promote local craft Generate benefits for population Promote public-private consultation: Engage and promote mutual understanding collaboration Practical collaboration approach Success depends on collaboration: A Tourism Industry Consultative Group appointed by RGC, Chair by Min of Tourism Int l and national monitoring: UNESCO, ICC, expert, for support APSARA National Authority 11
Community-based Tourism Definition: Tourism activity, community owned and operated and managed or coordinated at the community level, which contributes to the well-being of communities through supporting sustainable livelihoods and protecting valued socio-cultural traditions and natural and cultural heritage resources. 12
Community-based Tourism Development Initiative Creative awareness of tourism benefits and environmental and cultural conservation (conduct awareness program) Developing pro-poor tourism product and smallscale tourism infrastructure (such as community lodges, walking trails ) Capacity building for tourism-related local microenterprises and communities through training in language skills, guiding and interpretation techniques, financial management and planning Supporting gender development Ensuring ethnic minority participation 13
Community-based Tourism Development Initiative, Mekong Discovery Trail Project Diversify products and develop a variety of new tourist destinations along the Mekong River in Stung Treng and Kratie provinces Great biodiversity and habitat of rare freshwater dolphins Natural beauty and cultural heritage 14
Mekong Discovery Trail Project Objective: Diversify rural incomes through tourism micro ventures Support capacity building programmes able to target women, youth and disadvantaged minorities Encourage and support the protection, preservation and conservation of cultural, natural and environmental heritage through tourism 15
Objective: Mekong Discovery Trail Project Promote private sector investment in responsible tourism development Build capacity of stakeholders (central and provincial level tourism authorities and local communities) Provide technical assistance in small-scale infrastructure development Facilitate greater participation of the poor and disadvantaged in the tourism economy Support the design and implementation of marketing and promotional campaign of the Trail 16
Mekong Discovery Trail Project Outcome: Poverty alleviation Community involvement and participation Community development 17
Green Tourism Green Tourism: Travel and resource use which serves tourism development with responsibility, notably ensures the minimization of negative impact on cultural resources in tourism. Tourism Strategic Plan 2012-2020 Green Tourism Tourism as Green Gold Competitiveness Sustainability 18
Green Tourism in Cambodia Clean and Green Tourism as Green Gold Contest: Clean City, Clean resort, Good Service (Green hotel, home stay, restaurant, Tree planting campaign: One Tourist, One Tree Ecotourism, Eco-friendly tourism facilities Evaluation through basic indicator and criteria 19
Green Tourism Sustainable Responsible Development 1 2 Public Private 3 People 4P Mechanism 4 Partnership 20
The World Conference on Tourism and Culture will be organized in collaboration with UNWTO & UNESCO from 4-6 February 2015 in Siem Reap home of world heritage Angkor Wat Conference expect to welcome1,000 participants from all over the world included 50 Ministers of Tourism and Culture 21
Thank You 22